Method: The study population included dental hygienists who attended the NC Missions of Mercy (MoM) clinics. The survey was composed of 19 questions in 3 sections; subject’s dental hygiene education(n=4), subject’s current radiographic knowledge, practice, and radiation safety(n=9), and demographic information(n=5). The survey question format included multiple choice, fill in the blank, and open-ended. Surveys and cover letters were distributed and collected in anonymous envelopes. Data were entered into Excel and frequencies tallied.
Results: All subjects who met inclusion criteria (n=27) were female with an average age of 33 years and graduation year of 2005. Approximately 78% were community college graduates. The majority reported using the Stabe®(81%) and XCP®(78%) always or almost always during school. In the office, this decreased to 26% and 55% respectively. Most reported using film in school (59%), yet in the office 81% use digital receptors. All subjects used lead aprons and 81% additionally used the thyroid shield. The majority reported using circular collimation (70%) and 63% used paralleling technique always or almost always. Receptor-holding device use was determined primarily by ease of use, availability, and patient comfort (67%). Only 26% reported having input into decisions made in-office regarding radiology. The majority of subjects (>50%) reported never attending a radiology continuing education course.
Conclusion: The dose reduction techniques used in the dental office by dental hygienists appeared to be dictated by office policy regardless of educational training/knowledge.